Saturday, August 6, 2011

My first original pattern! I made one a couple of years ago to go with a Peter Rabbit book for my niece's first birthday. Son 1 recently found a Peter Rabbit book in our home library and that inspired me to make another Peter and finally publish my pattern. This is a free pattern, so please don't sell it and give credit where it is due.

Materials needed

Double pointed needles - size 3 (3.25 mm)

Tapestry needle

PolyFil

Stitch marker

Safety eyes (optional)

Yarn

Worsted - I used cotton yarn for the body and cotten-ease for the jacket, 'cause that's what I had!

Note - You'll make him in pieces, stuff, and then assemble. Most of the pattern is knit in the round. Lots of cute, little pieces!

Head (body parts are made with light brown yarn)

CO 6, knit a row as for an i-cord, divide evenly on 3 needles

1. kfb all sts (12 sts)

2. knit

3. *kfb, k1*; repeat from * (18 sts)

4. knit

5. *kfb, k2*; repeat from * (24 sts)

6. knit

7. *kfb, k3*; repeat from * (30 sts)

8-12. knit

13. *k2tog, k3*; repeat from * (24 sts)

14. knit

15. *k2tog*, k2*; repeat from * (18 sts)

16. knit

Place and secure safety eyes (or place buttons for eyes or embroider). Embroider nose, I used black yarn which will also be used for Peter's shoes. Stuff head.

17. *k2tog, k1*; repeat from * (12 sts)

18. knit

19. k2tog all sts (6 sts)

Cut yarn leaving about 6 inches for attaching to the body, pull tight to close the head. Weave in other yarn end.

Cut yarn leaving about 6 inches for attaching to the body. Stuff lightly. Draw yarn through sts and pull tight to close arm. Weave in other yarn end.

Ears (make 2)

This will be worked on 2 needles, not in the round, but back and forth as for straight needles

CO6 with a long tail (about 6 inches) for attaching to the head.

1. knit

2. purl

3. knit

4. purl

5. knit

6. purl

7. k2tog, k4, k2tog (4 sts)

8. purl

9. k2tog all sts (2 sts)

Cut yarn and draw through sts. Pull up and this will make the ears pointed. Weave in.

Shoes (black yarn, make 2)

CO9, knit as for an i-cord, divide evenly on 3 needles

1-8. knit

Cut yarn leaving about 6 inches for attaching to body. Stuff. Draw yarn through sts and pull tight to close shoe. Weave in other yarn end,

Tail (white yarn)

CO6, knit as for an i-cord, divide evenly on 3 needles

1. kfb all sts (12 sts)

2-4. knit

5. k2tog all sts (6 sts)

Stuff. Cut yarn leaving about 6 inches for attaching to body. Draw through sts and pull tight to close tail.

Jacket (blue yarn)

This is worked back and forth as for straight needles.

CO28

1-2. knit

3. purl

4. knit

5. purl

6. knit

7. purl

8. k6, BO3, k until 5 sts remain, BO3, k to end

9. p to BO sts, CO3, p until BO sts, CO3, p to end (this creates a hole for the arms)

10. k2tog, repeat once, knit until 4 sts remain, k2tog all sts

11. purl

12. BO knitwise

Cut yarn and weave in all ends

Sleeves (make 2)

CO10, divide sts 4-3-3 on 3 needles

1-8. knit

9. BO

Cut yarn leaving about 6 inches for attaching to the jacket. Weave in other yarn end.

Assembly

Attach the head to the body, the BO end of the body acts as the neck of Peter, so he kind of has a pear shape body. Position ears on top of the head slightly spaced and attach. Use the jacket as a guide to where the arms should be placed, about shoulder height and on each side of the body. Attached shoes about shoulder length apart of the bottom of the body. Attach tail to Peter's bottom. Attach sleeves to jacket. Weave in all ends and cut excess yarn.

Put the jacket on Peter. This may be a snug fit depending on how tight the sleeves were attached and how much the arms were stuffed. You can also attach some little "brass" buttons to his jacket.